We lit our watch-fire, and, leaving the dogs on guard below, ascended the ladder. Fritz, Ernest, and Jack were up in a moment. Their mother followed very cautiously, for though she had originated the idea of building a nest, she yet hesitated to entrust herself at such a terrific height from the ground. When she was safely landed in the house, taking little Franz on my back, I let go the fastenings which secured the lower end of the ladder to the ground, and swinging to and fro, slowly ascended. Then for the first time we stood all together in our new home. I drew up the ladder, and, with a greater sense of security than I had enjoyed since we landed on the island, offered up our evening prayer, and retired for the night. CHAPTER IV SOME USEFUL DISCOVERIES--A COMICAL INCIDENT Next morning all were early awake, and the children sprang about the tree like young monkeys. "What shall we begin to do, father?" they cried. "What do you want us to do to-day?" "Rest, my boys," I replied, "rest." "Rest?" repeated they. "Why should we rest?" "'Six days shalt thou labor and do all that thou hast to do, but on the seventh, thou shalt do no manner of work.' This is the seventh day," I replied, "on it, therefore, let us rest." "What, is it really Sunday?" asked Jack; "how jolly! oh, I won't do any work; but I'll take a bow and arrow and shoot, and we'll climb about the tree and have fun all day." "That is not resting," said I, "that is not the way you are accustomed to spend the Lord's day." "No! but then we can't go to church here, and there is nothing else to do." "We can worship here as well as at home," said I. "But there is no church, no clergyman, and no organ," said Franz. "The leafy shade of this great tree is far more beautiful than any church," I said; "there will we worship our Creator. Come, boys, down with you: turn our dining hall into a breakfast room." The children, one by one, slipped down the ladder. "My dear Elizabeth," said I, "this morning we will devote to the service of the Lord, and by means of a parable, I will endeavor to give the children some serious thoughts; but, without books, or the possibility of any of the usual Sunday occupations, we cannot keep them quiet the whole day; afterward, therefore, I shall allow them to pursue any innocent recreation they choose, and in the cool of the evening we will take a walk." My wife entirely agreed with my proposal, and having breakfasted, the family assembled round me, as we sat in the pleasant shade on the fresh, soft green grass. After singing some hymns and offering heartfelt prayers to the Almighty giver of all good, I told the children I would relate to them a parable instead of preaching a sermon. "Oh, that would be delightful! I like the parables in the Bible better than anything," said Franz. "When can we hear you read out of the Bible again, father?"